Across Santa Cruz County, three emerging bakers are gaining attention for distinctive breads and pastries that reflect their personal stories and creative ambitions. From a sold-out Watsonville sourdough shop to eye-catching Capitola confections and a reinvented downtown café pastry case, each is helping redefine the local baking scene.
Local Business
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Best of Santa Cruz County recreation, arts & food events this weekend, March 26-29
With the weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inFood & Drink
Cruz Room plans shared kitchen, bar and live events at key Santa Cruz corner
A Santa Cruz chef and commercial kitchen owner plans to transform the former Burger. and D20 Pizza restaurant space on Mission Street into the Cruz Room, a collaborative hub for food, music and art with multiple businesses under one roof. Established pizza pop-up Sleight Of Hand has already signed on, and owner Matisse Selman is seeking additional partners to bring the community-focused concept to life.
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: Heat wave’s crop impact, new downtown gelateria and openings of note
In her Tuesday newsletter, Lily Belli checks in on how locals growers fared during last week’s heat wave, spotlights Gran Gelato Caffè in Santa Cruz and notes food & drink business openings downtown and in Aptos.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of March 24
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.
Posted inFood & Drink
Santa Cruz County strawberries weathered heat wave, with potential upside for vineyards
A record March heat wave caused only minor damage to early strawberry crops in Santa Cruz County, with most fruit and other produce left largely unharmed thanks to proactive irrigation. The warm temperatures could even benefit local wine grapes by accelerating early growth and improving conditions for a strong harvest later in the season.
Posted inFood & Drink
Gran Gelato Caffè opens in downtown Santa Cruz, among first businesses in new developments
Gran Gelato Caffè, a new Santa Cruz café from the owners of Pizzeria La Bufala, has opened on Cedar Street, serving house-made Italian gelato, pastries and espresso. The shop is among the first retail tenants in the new downtown developments.
Posted inFood & Drink
Mijo’s, Geisha face long road to recovery after deadly Capitola fire
A week after a deadly Capitola Village fire damaged their building, the owners of Mijo’s Taqueria and Geisha Japanese Restaurant are still waiting on insurance assessments and remain unable to access their red-tagged spaces. With repairs likely to take up to a year, they’re weighing next steps while receiving an outpouring of community support, including a sold-out fundraiser.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Santa Cruz biotech company nets new funding; RiverRow marks city’s first riverfront development
The Westside’s Unnatural Products lands $45 million more for its work to develop treatments for certain types of rare cancers and diseases, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly survey of local business. Downtown Santa Cruz housing plus names, numbers and dates to know are also on the menu.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of March 17
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.